Author Richard Florida will launch his new book "FLIGHT OF THE CREATIVE CLASS: The Global Competition for Talent" (HarperBusiness) at a "Forum on The New.... Author Richard Florida will launch his new book "FLIGHT OF THE CREATIVE CLASS: The Global Competition for Talent" (HarperBusiness) at a "Forum on The New American City" during a LIVE webcast at the United States Conference of Mayors on Tuesday, April 12 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon (EDT). To view the webcast LIVE, log on to www.usmayors.org/interactive.

Hosted by the Conference's Council on the New American City, the forum will feature Richard Florida, mayors, and Conference Executive Director Tom Cochran in an interactive discussion on Florida's latest book, which highlights the stiff competition that U.S. cities face from foreign cities that could significantly affect the U.S. economy both at a national and local level. Florida posits that to meet the economic challenges of the new century, America, through its cities, must be open to foreign talent, while at the same time develop educational, cultural, scientific, and entrepreneurial opportunities that tap the creativity of a greater segment of the U.S. population. Unless U.S. cities can attract, retain, and grow top-notch creative talent, the increasingly intense competition will continue to weaken the national economy.